Ganon's Castle

Objectives: Follow the path to Ganon's Castle, clear the four paths and defeat the four past bosses, defeat Phantom Ganon 8 times, get the Light Arrows, open the passage, face the final bossItems: Light Arrows

Warp back to the Tower of the Gods. As you approach the entrance, Link will take out the Triforce and reopen the portal. Go to the bottom of the sea and the sunken Hyrule Castle.

Go down the stairway. With Zelda in your sights, everything appears to be normal... But it's not. Get ready to fight two Black Darknut Knights. After a brief battle, you'll be able to leave again. Go upstairs. Link will run toward the exit and the magic barrier will shut off. Step outside.

Using the power of the Master Sword, Link will destroy the red barrier that encases the castle. Proceed down the path, defeating all the enemies. You will soon get to a broken bridge.

Video Walkthrough: Return to Hyrule Castle

Use your Hookshot to cross the gaps, but immediately take out the Keese hanging above with your Boomerang to reduce the risk of you falling. Enter the cave.

Walk to the center platform and go over the left rope bridge first. Defeat the guard and open the door.

There are different ways of crossing the pool of lava, but this one's the easiest. Get out your Bow and shoot the Bubble to the right on top of the grappling bar. Use the Grappling Hook, steady the rope, and climb up. Use the Deku Leaf to float all the way over to the last platform in the lava. Use the Grappling Hook again. Climb up the rope and float over to the safe ground. Defeat the two Bubbles with your Bow or Deku Leaf, then exit.

Link battles the first of four past enemies. If you access your items screen, you will notice that you're literally stuck in the past: all of your new items aren't there. So use your Grappling Hook once again on Valoo's tail and swing across. After Gohma's shell is gone, lock on to the eye, use the Grappling Hook, then go in close and attack with your Sword. After a few minutes, you'll be returned to reality and find yourself back in the entrance hall. Break the skulls for magic energy, then take the second bridge from the left.

Use the Deku Leaf on the windmill to the left to bring the platform close, then hop on board and push yourself off with the power of wind (just swing the Deku Leaf into the opposite direction you want to go). Hop over to the tongue-like vine and use the Deku Leaf on the windmill over to the left to retrieve the second platform. Hover over to it when the vine is at its highest point.

Push yourself off and move the platform until you're close enough to leap over to the next moving vine. When it's at its highest point, jump over to the next one. Yes, you can make it. When the vine is up, leap off and float over to the exit with your Deku Leaf. Recharge some of your magic energy by breaking one of the seeds to the left and right of the exit.

Get ready for another classic battle. As before, use your Boomerang to cut the tentacles that hold the oversized plant up, then run in close to slash the core.

Back at the entrance, pick the next bridge to cross. This next section is reminiscent of Headstone Island. The caskets will open when you run by, so don't stop and use the roll maneuver to avoid getting hurt. You don't have to defeat the ReDeads if you don't want to.

Once you're past this first corridor, you will come to a switch and a beam of light. The idea is to run ahead and lure one of the Dark ChuChus over here. Turn it to stone and place it on the switch, then run as fast as you can.

If you're too slow, the ChuChu will awaken and the stairway that's controlled by the switch will disappear. You will come to an area with an identical puzzle -- only that the light beam is at the end of the corridor. First, defeat the Stalfos at the end of the passage, then lure some of the ChuChus closer to the switch. Run back to the beam of light and solidify as many ChuChus as you can. Run toward the switch while performing roll maneuvers to speed you up and grab the ChuChu that's closest to the switch. Put it in place and immediately run back to the temporary stairway. Don't slow down or you'll have to do this again. Go through the door.

Time to defeat Jahalla all over again. Use your Mirror Shield to stun the Poe, then pick him up and throw him into one of the spike pillars that line the walls. As soon as you throw him, charge your spin attack (assuming you have the Hurricane Spin), then let loose and take out almost all of the Poes in one go. You'll soon be gone and find yourself back in the entrance hall.

One more to go.

Cross the bridge and enter through the door. Use a Fire Arrow to take out the Wizzrobe. Stand on top of the spring, equip your Iron Boots and Deku Leaf and propel yourself into the air. Float past the spikes. Land on the ground and use the second spring the same way. Float all the way to the end of the room -- be sure to stay in the middle so that the two tornados don't push you down.

Land and defeat the Bokoblins. Stock up on hearts and magic power from the pots, then Hookshot up via the target above. The next boss battle should still be fresh in your mind. Use your Hookshot on Molgera's tongue and offspring, and slash away with your Sword. It's a little more disorienting because of the monochrome look, but you'll get it done.

Video Walkthrough: Ganon's Castle Part 1

The door is now open. Enter Ganon's inner lair. Walk up the stairway and smack the little Miniblins around a little. Exit through the door at the top to get to an ominous arena. There are three doors here. Take the right one first.

There are four chandeliers in this room. As you enter, the camera will zoom in on each one of them in a certain order. Simply number them from 1 to 4 and remember the code. For example, 3-1-4-2. Exit the room and go through the opposite door. This are has four crystal switches. The game gives you a quick reminder in case you were too dense to figure this out and zooms in on each one of them. Equip your Boomerang and target the switches in that order. If you did it correctly, a warp spot will appear and the King of Red Lions enters. You can use your boat and the purple glow to instantly warp to the surface anytime. So if you want to collect more Pieces of Heart or you're looking to get some potions, just come to this room.

But since we planned ahead, we don't need that kind of help. Exit the room and go back to the room with the four chandeliers. Read the inscription on the stone tablet to the left -- then jump into the darkness.

You will face off with the Phantom again. Return his projectiles by hitting them with your sword (use a short spin for the red orbs -- charge as he charges, then release after he fires), then run in close and slash. Sometimes, the Phantom will split up and surround you -- but only one of them is real.

When you've got him defeated, pay close attention to the sword. Don't pick it up. It actually points into the direction you're supposed to go. So go through the door that the handle points at. A chime will confirm your choice. After seven battles, a treasure chest will appear.

Open it to get the Light Arrows. The door will unlock and you can exit.

You will now fight the eighth and final Phantom (one for each Triforce). But now you've got the Light Arrows -- so no more returning magic spells. Get some power from the pots that line the arena if you're low, then lock on and give the old prince of darkness a light. All that remains is the dark sword. Pick it up and smash the brick wall that's blocking the exit.

Walk up the stairs and defeat Ganon's minions as you get higher and higher. How about having some fun? Try your Light Arrows on some of the servants of darkness and see how nicely they clean up the house. Armored knights? Ha!

When you're at the top of the stairs, are two faires. Before entering the big gate, use your Bottle or two to capture the faires - you might need them for later. Enter through the big red and yellow gate.